(Thumbnail image: Boeing Images)

"British crew members are coming out of their meeting where it was announced that 92.5 percent of them have voted "Yes" to strike against British Airways, starting on Dec. 22. And critically, it's going to be a 12-day strike over the Christmas and New Year period." (CNN)

Cabin crew members from British Airways recently voted nine-to-one to strike against airline management. They're taking action against decreases in pay and staff size.

Some say the strike may not result in any progressive decisions because the deficit is so bad for all British airlines. Others question why the crew members can't wait until after the holidays to be sure it doesn't cause harsh setbacks for nearly one million customers.

We're looking at multiple perspectives on the cabin crew strike from CNN, the BBC, CNBC, Nine MSN, and ITN News.

First, the Unite Union general secretary tells the BBC that the strike shouldn't be a surprise, given a series of unresolved problems between British Airways and cabin crew members.

"It's not just about one cabin crew down, although that's a significant reduction, and remember in terms of number of staff on aircrafts flying transatlantic, etc., British Airways is one of the lowest. Other airlines have considerably more numbers of staff on their airplanes.  And for the company to simply come along and start to impose these changes is felt to be wrong."

But the CEO of British Airways tells CNBC that there's not much more action the airline can take because the deficit is economically rough for everyone.

"The business is in the middle of the worst crisis that the airline industry has ever seen. It doesn't matter what you do, you cannot avoid that, so we cannot avoid taking steps to show that we're as efficient as possible and the steps that we have taken I believe are very minor."

A ninemsn reporter analyzes the decision to strike. He says something will be done, whether it's during the holiday season or after the February court date.

"Both sides today, interestingly, was saying our doors are open to talk.  The real shock that caught everyone was I think that the union would wait until after Christmas to call the srike, and that caused a bit of a shock. So maybe there's a bit of room for negotiation there." [1:53]

With a broader perspective, an ITN News reporter talks to a representative from the Air Users Committee about the reality of hardships this strike could cause airline customers.

"What about compensation for the lost hotel booking, the higher car, the holiday that's gone?  'And even if you do qualify for compensation, in theory or by letter of the regulation, there is a defense where the airline can say we don't have to pay compensation because this cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances.'"

Should the union wait to hold the strike until after holidays to spare the grief for customers? Or is the time for strike now or never? We'd love to hear your thoughts...

Writer: Jess Blumensheid

Producer: Jess Blumensheid